Gov't Urges "No Refusal" Policy On Drunken Driving

Published December 13, 2010 Associated Press WASHINGTON – The government is urging states and local authorities to use policies that can crack down on suspected drunk drivers who refuse breath tests to avoid prosecution. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is promoting a “No Refusal” policy used by a handful of states around the nation. It allows police to get search warrants from judges to take blood samples from suspected drunk drivers who refuse to take Breathalyzer tests. About 1 in 4 drunk driving suspects refuse to take breath tests. States using the approach to drunk driving say they’re seeing more guilty pleas, fewer trials and more convictions. Nearly 11,000 people were killed in alcohol-impaired crashes in 2009.